air-conditioning
I have a problem. I have no idea where I should put the air conditioner to maximize it's effect. Here's a floor plan:
I'd love if the AC could cool down the whole floor, but that's not going to be possible because there isn't gonna be enough air flow (I think). What's a good position to put it into?
Ideally, you would blow warm air out of your apartment. Cool outside air will naturally take its place. If you can take advantage of prevailing winds by having open windows on opposite sides of the apartment, do so. Otherwise, use a box fan blowing out of the screen door (assuming it's not in a bedroom -- they can be pretty noisy) and smaller fans pulling air in through other windows.
You can also keep the apartment cooler during the day by closing blinds. If you have a balcony that gets sun during the day, consider getting some large plants: they'll provide some shade, and they'll need watering, which will also help to bring temperatures down.
A common method of equalizing the temperature across a room is to add a ceiling fan.
Cool air tends to stay near the floor, and a fan can be set to pull the air upwards. As it hits the ceiling, the air is pushed outwards to the edges of the room. Because cool air is heavier than warm air, it then moves downward, better distributing the temperature.
A very low setting can be used to avoid noise and strong air currents. This is easier with fans that have variable speeds, which is common with remote control types.
This technique is also used to circulate warm air for heating systems that need help with temperature distribution.
SUPPLEMENT
The ceiling fan should be placed near the center of the room. Most fans are reversible. The fan should be set to blow upward, if possible.
Floor fans can also be used.
Similarly, a pedestal fan.
If using a floor or pedestal fan, place near the air conditioning flow and direct the fan upward and toward the other end of the room.
Best Answer
This question is primarily opinion-based, since the answer depends on what makes you most comfortable.
As a person never short on opinions, I suggest this:
Put the AC in the window at (1) and leave the doors to the master bedroom and the kitchen open. Purchase an inexpensive pedestal fan like this:
and place it at (2) blowing in the direction of the arrow. Adjust the pedestal to its minimum height so the fan blows mostly through the lower half of the open door.
At night or on cool days turn off the fan and close the door.
EDIT: You could also put the AC at the other end of the house, with the fan blowing toward the master bedroom. Which is better depends on whether you need the cooling more during the times when you would be using the kitchen, or during the times when you would be using the master bedroom.
Where I live, in the late summer it remains too hot at night to sleep comfortably. Hence I would put the AC in the bedroom.